Tulo resting with groin tightness, day to day

By Cody Ulm / MLB.com

DENVER -- In a season riddled with injuries, the Rockies have at least been blessed with one of the healthiest seasons of All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki's nine-year career. Perhaps that's why Colorado fans reacted with alarm when Tulowitzki was out of the lineup Friday with right groin tightness.

But the Mile High city can breathe a sigh of relief as manager Walt Weiss called Tulowitzki "day to day" and confirmed the injury isn't severe enough to require time on the disabled list.

Tulowitzki played through the injury Thursday after incurring it on a sixth-inning infield single. Weiss checked in with the Home Run Derby captain once he came off the field, but Tulowitzki pleaded his case and remained in the game.

"[We] felt it might be good to get him out of the game last night, but he stuck it out for a couple more innings," Weiss said. "I didn't think he'd be in there today after last night, so there really wasn't much of a decision to be made."

Weiss said he would have probably pinch-ran for Tulowitzki last night had he reached base again. Tulowitzki popped out to the shallow left field with the potential go-ahead run on third in his next and final at-bat.

With the way Tulowitzki was feeling Friday, it was "possible" he'd have to sit for more than one day, Weiss said. The nature of the injury makes it unlikely that Tulowitzki would be used as a defensive replacement, but Weiss believes he'll at least be available to pinch-hit.

Tulowitzki currently leads the Majors in batting average (.350), on-base percentage (.441) and runs (66) and is first in the National League in slugging percentage (.608).

CarGo inching closer to rehab assignment

DENVER -- Carlos Gonzalez (finger) has been hoping he could make it back before the All-Star break, and manager Walt Weiss matched that optimism Friday by acknowledging it's "possible."

Gonzalez won't return without a rehab assignment, though, as the Rockies want him to shake off any rust from being on the disabled list since June 4.

"He's been out a long time, so just to make sure everything is all right, he'll play nine innings and just get used to the speed again," Weiss said.

After Friday's matchup against the Dodgers, the Rockies have eight games before the All-Star break. Weiss did not divulge how many rehab games Gonzalez would require.

Weiss also was looking forward to Gonzalez taking batting practice for the first time on the field Friday, and the All-Star outfielder did not disappoint. Gonzalez sprinkled line-drive home runs to all three fields, flashing the smooth swing he had struggled repeating when his bothersome finger would swell up.

He also took batting practice Thursday but in the private cages.

Gonzalez underwent surgery on June 10 to remove a benign tumor from his left index finger. He had been dealing with inflammation in the finger all season. He is batting .255 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs in 52 games.

Scahill sent to Triple-A to clear spot for Jurrjens

DENVER -- The Rockies' bullpen-audition carousel continued Friday as the team optioned right-hander Rob Scahill to Triple-A Colorado Springs to make room for recently acquired right-hander Jair Jurrjens.

The Rockies also opened up space on the 40-man roster for Jurrjens, who is making his debut Friday night against the Dodgers, by transferring right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (strained rotator cuff) to the 60-day disabled list.

Scahill made three appearances for the Rockies after being recalled from Triple-A on June 22. He went scoreless through his first 3 2/3 innings before surrendering four earned runs off three hits and a two walks in his final 1 2/3-inning appearance Monday.

Chacin was placed on the 15-day DL on Monday with what was being called right shoulder inflammation after showing diminished velocity for much of the season. He missed all of April with issues in his same shoulder and an MRI on Tuesday revealed a strained rotator cuff as well as fraying in the front of his right labrum.

Chacin is the fourth Rockies starter to be placed on the 60-day DL this season, along with Brett Anderson (fractured left index finger), Tyler Chatwood (right elbow strain) and Christian Bergman (left fractured trapezium).

Left-hander Franklin Morales will continue to hold down Chacin's turn in the Rockies rotation until Anderson returns shortly after the All-Star break.

The Rockies will have to clear another spot on the 25-man roster Saturday as they plan to activate left-hander Boone Logan (left elbow inflammation).

Cody Ulm is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.